Probate and Estate Administration
Bright Solicitors offers expert guidance to ensure the process runs smoothly and in accordance with the law. Our experienced team provides the support you need during a challenging time.
What is Probate?
Probate is the term often used to describe the legal process that gives someone the authority to administer a deceased person's estate.
This process may include an Executor applying to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate if the deceased had a Will. Or, if there is no Will, this may include the court appointing an administrator to handle the estate according to the laws of intestacy. In this instance the Grant will be called Letters of Administration.
The umbrella term ‘Grant of Representation’ is used to describe all types of Grant, and the term ‘Personal Representatives’ is a generic term for the persons with the legal authority to administer the estate.
Probate is not always required. If the estate is small or if assets are held jointly, they may pass directly to the surviving owner without the need for probate. Our Probate Lawyers can guide you through this process in the first instance, to let you know what steps to take to find out if a Probate is required.
Please read our article on Why Probate Is Important.
What is Estate Administration?
Estate administration involves identifying and collecting assets, paying debts, taxes, and funeral expenses, and distributing the remaining estate to beneficiaries.
Why Choose Us?
At Bright Solicitors, we understand the complexities of probate and estate administration. Our team provides clear, step-by-step support to help executors and administrators navigate the entire process. Whether you need help with applying for probate, managing estate debts, or distributing assets, our probate lawyers ensure everything is handled efficiently and legally.
We tailor our services to your specific needs, offering compassionate and professional advice during what can be a difficult time.
The prestigious Legal 500 has awarded Bright Solicitors with an outstanding client service award, showcasing our commitment to excellent service across all areas of our firm.
Probate Lawyers | Our Expertise
Our probate and estate administration services include:
- Probate Application: We help you apply for the Grant of Probate and ensure that all necessary documents are submitted.
- Estate Valuation: We assist in valuing the estate and identifying all assets, including property, bank accounts, and investments.
- Distribution of Assets: We help ensure assets are distributed according to the will or the law, when there is no will.
- Advice for Executors: We provide ongoing support to executors throughout the estate administration process.
Get in Touch
For expert legal advice with Probate and Estate Administration, contact Bright Solicitors. Our experienced team of Probate Lawyers will guide you through the process and help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Call us on 01752 388883 or use the contact form below to contact our Private Client Department.
Useful Information on Probate
The first consideration for a PR to make is whether Probate is required.
A Grant of Representation is not always required to administer an Estate for example:
- When the estate consists of assets held in joint names, or
- When assets held solely in the deceased's name have a relatively low value.
Often, the institutions that the deceased held assets with will let you know whether they require a Grant to release funds to the PRs.
Our Probate Lawyers can guide you through this process in the first instance, to let you know what steps to take to find out if a Probate is required.
When is a Grant of Representation Needed?
You will need a Grant of Representation if the deceased person’s assets are in their sole name and are valuable.
Deciding Who Will Obtain the Grant
The PRs must decide whether to obtain the Grant themselves or instruct a Solicitor to do so on their behalf.
The Process of Obtaining a Grant
The first step is gathering information about the deceased’s assets and liabilities as at the date they passed away. This information will be required for the Probate application.
When the Process Becomes Complex
Completing the Probate application may be straightforward, but it can become complicated if the estate is taxable or has foreign elements, business interests, or agricultural property.
After the Grant is Issued
Once the Grant is issued, the deceased’s assets can be collected, debts settled, and legacies paid.
Additional Considerations in the Process
In practice, issues like selling property or settling Income Tax and Inheritance Tax matters must be handled. If the deceased died intestate, it may take longer to establish the beneficiaries that are entitled to the estate.
Our Role in the Grant Process
If a Grant of Representation is required, we will discuss how involved you would like us to be.
Most assets held in joint names pass by survivorship. You may need to provide a copy of the Death Certificate to the relevant institution for them to transfer the asset into the survivor’s name.
If the assets have a relatively low value (the limit varies by institution), most institutions will not require a Grant of Representation. In these cases, the institution may ask you to complete a form confirming your authority to administer the estate.
What are the fees involved?
A list of our fees can be found in the downloadable PDF’s below:
You can contact us by calling our main office number or emailing a team member, who will gladly assist you.
Office Number - 01752 388883
Carly Jeffery - Carly.Jeffery@brightllp.co.uk
Abagail Witts - Abagail.Witts@brightllp.co.uk
Vicky Bligh - Vicky.Bligh@brightllp.co.uk
